Big-box retailer Walmart is predicted to overtake Apple as America's third-largest online retailer by the end of 2018, a result of a wider slowdown in smartphone and consumer electronic sales, according to a report Friday.

Amazon will be expanding the selection of Apple products sold in its online store in the coming weeks, following an agreement with Apple to allow the online retailer to sell Apple's newest iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch models.

Nearly a year after it opened its Downtown Brooklyn retail store, Apple has temporarily expanded its New York footprint by taking over the Howard Gilman Opera House across the street in preparation for the theatrical introduction of new products for the holiday -- beyond its freshly released 2018 iPhones and Apple Watch Series 4.

Apple's wide array of devices including iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs have become ubiquitous in our homes, but most customer-facing installations still rely on inadequate technology. AppleInsider talks to industry mavens to discuss the present and future of Apple's devices in customer service.

The online Apple Store is no longer offering in-store pickup for the LG UltraFine 5K Display for a large number of outlets around the globe, a possible indication that the screens may be replaced by a new model, potentially even the anticipated Apple-produced displays.

A report on Wednesday revived rumors of Apple's interest in turning the Tower Theater, a designated historic-cultural monument in downtown Los Angeles, into a retail outlet, though hard evidence of the company's plans remains elusive.

Apple is reportedly in talks with an Israeli retail property group to bring its company-owned brick-and-mortar stores to the country, the latest in an effort to open consumer hubs in the world's major metropolitan centers.

Apple this week reinstated product financing alternatives, as well as an informational webpage detailing such purchases, for UK customers shopping on the company's online storefront after the options were made temporarily unavailable.

Apple has apparently discontinued product financing in the UK, as the company on Tuesday removed an informational webpage detailing those options and scrubbed its regional online store of references to installment plans.

Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts this week said the company plans a major Japanese investment that will see the opening of new retail outlets and an extensive renovation of existing locations over the next five years.

In honor of International Women's Day, Apple will be hosting a number of events in select retail outlets around the world to celebrate the achievements of women, including one evening in the Paris Marche Saint-Germain store that will be used as a recruitment event for the company.

In a move seemingly designed to increase sales and local sentiment, Apple will soon accept payments from popular Chinese service Alipay at its 41 brick-and-mortar stores in the country, the first third-party system in the world to enjoy support from Apple's retail arm.